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Let’s be honest—black is magical. It’s neutral, timeless, and best of all, it hides sweat like a champ (a summer wedding essential!). When I first started in the wedding industry as a second shooter, I had no idea what to wear. I remember frantically scouring the internet the week before a wedding looking for outfit ideas that wouldn’t make me melt or stand out like a guest. That’s why I put this blog together—to help other photographers feel confident, cool, and camera-ready in their summer wedding attire.
If you’re a photographer shooting weddings in the summer heat, you already know: staying cool while looking professional is a real balancing act. Most photographers stick with black because it’s neutral, non-distracting, and camera-safe. But when the temps climb, finding the right black wedding attire that won’t leave you overheating is key.
As a Michigan photographer, I’ve tried a lot of outfits over the years. This guide is full of lightweight, breathable, and movement-friendly black wedding outfits for photographers—so you can focus on capturing the moment, not sweating through it.
The Golden Rule: What Not to Wear
These might seem obvious, but they’re worth repeating: white (or anything close to it) is a big no-no—it competes with the bride. Also steer clear of anything that could be mistaken for a bridesmaid dress or groomsmen attire, unless the couple specifically requests it. The safest bet? Black, breathable, and easy to blend in. Of course, if the bride asks you to wear a specific color, always go with her wishes!
Lightweight Black Dresses for Photographers
If you love a dress but don’t want to feel restricted, opt for breathable fabrics, longer hemlines, and roomy fits that still feel polished.
Longer Dresses:
- Women’s Flowy V-Neck Maxi Dress – this one has become an absolute favorite and I get complimented on it all the time!
- Sleeveless Square Neck Summer Flowy Dress – with pockets!!!!
- Women’s Ruffled Sleeve Belted V-Neck Casual Dress
- Flutter Sleeved Round Neck Summer Maxi Dress
- Summer Sleeveless Pleated Flowy Swing Cocktail Dress
- Sleeveless Summer Maxi Dress – with Pockets!
Shorter Dresses
- Semi-Formal V-Back Knee Length Cocktail Dress – this back is SO cute!
- Casual Square-Neck Midi Sundress – with Pocket!
- Short Sleeved V-Neck Midi Sundress
- Short-Sleeved Casual V-Neck Midi Dress – with Pockets!
- Casual Round Neck Knee Length Sundress
- Elegant Cross Dress Knee Length – with Pockets!
- Sleeveless A-Line Midi Cocktail Dress
- Short Sleeved Button Down Summer Midi Dress
- Oh also, this one has pockets!!!
Jumpsuits & Rompers for Comfort + Coverage
Jumpsuits are a favorite among photographers for good reason: you can bend, move, and crouch without worry.
- Wide Leg Pant One-Piece Romper
- Rib Knit Ruffle Cap Sleeve Romper
- Summer Ruffle Sleeve Drawstring Jumpsuit
- Summer Dressy Off Shoulder Jumpsuit – this one is great to be dressed up or down!
- Short Sleeve Loose Belted Wide Leg Jumpsuit
- Dressy One-Shoulder Wide Leg Romper
- Summer Dressy or Casual Square Neck Short Sleeve Romper
Black Tops + Bottoms (If You Prefer a Mix & Match Style)
Bottoms
- Bootleg Cut Black Business Casual Stretchy Trousers
- High Waisted Loose Adjustable Paper Bag Pants
- High Waisted Cropped Button Down Paper Bag Pants
- Yoga Dress Capris with Pockets
- Stretchy Capri Work Pants
- *Controversial Pick! Stretchy black yoga pants with pockets – Yes, they’re yoga pants—but if they’re what you feel most comfortable in and you style them well, they can pass for dressy trousers. Pair with a polished top and a few accessories to elevate the look. Just make sure they’re fresh, clean, and in good shape, and you’re good to go!
Tops
- Women’s V-Neck Summer Top
- Women’s Square-Neck Half Sleeve Top
- V-Neck Rolled Sleeve Button Loose T-Shirt
- Casual Classy Comfy Lace Sleeve T-Shirt
- Women’s Crew Neck Pleated From Cap Sleeve T-Shirt
- Women’s Pleated Puff Sleeve Summer V-Neck T-Shirt
- Short Sleeved Loose Collared V-Neck Buttoned Blouse
- Sleeveless Loose V-Neck Tank Top
- Sleeveless Slim Fitted Crew Neck Tank Top
- Basic Ribbed Fit Tank Top
Shoes That Save Your Feet & Style
Being on your feet all day means your shoes really matter. Here are my go-to summer wedding shoes that pair well with black photographer attire:
Accessories for Wedding Day
Hair Accessories: Keep your hair out of your face with black clips, scrunchies, or a simple headband. Stylish and practical for long wedding days.
- Black Velvet Hair Scrunchie
- Black Silk Satin Hair Scrunchie
- Simple 1-inch Black Satin Headband
- Women’s Headbands
- Women’s Large Hair Bow
Jewelry: Go for minimal, non-distracting jewelry—think studs, delicate necklaces, and simple rings. It adds polish without getting in your way.
- Women’s Simple Watch – Swap out your Apple Watch for a classic beauty!
- Women’s Simple Necklace
- Women’s Layered Necklace
- Women’s Simple Letter Necklace
- Women’s Simple Ankle Bracelet
- Women’s Petite Ankle Bracelet
Slim Black Belt: Perfect for cinching in dresses or jumpsuits for a more defined shape. You can match your buckle to your jewelry to tie it together!
- Black Leather Belt with Gold Buckle
- Black Leather Belt with Silver Buckle
- Black Leather Belt with Black Buckle
Bonus: Summer Survival Kit for Wedding Photographers
Wedding days are long, and summer heat can be brutal. Keep these extras in your bag or car to stay cool, fresh, and comfortable all day:
- Lens Wipes – keep your glass clean and fog-free
- Sanitizing Wipes – SO important for hands before touching dresses or gear!!
- Cooling Neck Towel – just soak in water, wring, and wear!
- Hand Held USB Rechargeable Fan – yes, really! You can sneak this on breaks
- Battery Operated Misting Fan – quick face spritz in 90°+ heat
- Hydration Reminder Water Bottle – with time markers to keep you going
- Or if you like long lasting ice and somewhere to set, I love my 40 oz. Stanley!
- Camera Harnesses! – to keep weight off your neck
- Witch Hazel Wipes – freshen up mid-day
- Transparent Deodorant Stick – perfect for outdoor ceremonies
- Body Sunscreen – easy to apply without the mess
- Oil Blotting Sheets or Makeup Setting/Refreshing Spray – combat shine and sweat
- Bug/Tick Spray – essential for outdoor venues
- Compact First Aid Kit – for blisters, bites, or cuts
- Polarized Sunglasses – especially helpful for harsh mid-day sun
- Gatorade or Gatorade Zero, Protein Granola Bars, and Water – stay fueled and hydrated on long wedding days!
Pro Tip: Bring a Backup
Always keep a spare outfit (or top) in your car just in case. Between sweat, spills, and surprise weather, you’ll be glad you planned ahead!
After the Wedding!
Your body worked hard—don’t forget to take care of it! Stretch, hydrate, and use a cooling muscle rub or soak to ease soreness after a long day on your feet.
- 3-Pair Tall Black Compression Socks
- Ankle Compression Socks
- Fingerless Compression Gloves
- Yoga Toes GEMS Toe Stretcher and Separators – these are one of the BEST things I have ever purchased! I swear by these! 😂 After a long day on your feet at a wedding or event, these gel toe separators help stretch and realign your toes. They “hurt so good” but make a massive difference in reducing foot soreness. Slip them on for an hour, and you’ll feel the relief the next day, if not right away!
Final Thoughts
The right outfit can make all the difference on a long, hot wedding day. By staying cool, comfortable, and camera-ready, you’re not just surviving the heat—you’re thriving behind the lens. Pack smart, dress with intention, and you’ll be free to focus on what matters most: telling beautiful stories through your images.
Looking for Non-Black Options?
Prefer to skip the black but still want to stay cool and wedding-appropriate? Click here for my favorite summery wedding attire in other colors.
Or just need summer outfits for non-wedding photo sessions? Check out my summer photoshoot outfit guide here.
*Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Pinterest! Visit my website to sign up for my newsletter to get all the tips, tricks, and first to know’s about upcoming sessions!
Hi! I'm Stefaney
Born and raised in Southeast Michigan, fiance to my best friend, Josh, and cat mom to the two sweetest babes, Apollo and Orion! I'm so glad you're here and I can't wait to capture the magic of your story. Grab a cup of coffee (or your favorite beverage!), get comfy, and let's connect!
Meet Stefaney
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